Left turns from businesses on China Lake Blvd. to end

Tuesday

Feb 11, 2014 at 6:00 AM

By Mike BodineSTAFF WRITERmbodine@ridgecrestca.com

Caltrans has plans for downtown Ridgecrest. The California Department of Transportation wants to install a permanent, raised median on China Lake Boulevard from Inyokern Road to the intersection with Ridgecrest Boulevard. This would mean all vehicles pulling out from businesses on either side of China Lake Boulevard will be forced to turn right, as those trying to turn left would run into the landscaped medians. With the exception of a few left-hand turn pockets through the median, vehicles would have to use other connecting streets or pull U-turns at traffic lights to connect to businesses on the right hand side of the street.Caltrans is holding a meeting and open house on the project, and is inviting the public to attend from 6 to 8 p.m., today, Tuesday at the Ridgecrest City Council Chambers located at 100 West California Ave. The formal presentation will start at 6.“This Public Information Meeting is necessary to allow Caltrans to highlight the proposed raised center median project to be constructed on State Route 178 between Inyokern Road and Ridgecrest Boulevard near the City of Ridgecrest in Kern County,” as stated in the press release. All affected business owners on China Lake have been notified by letter.City Planner Matthew Alexander said the proposed median would dramatically change driving patterns. He said there have been a number of vehicle accidents and collisions due to motorists turning left out of businesses along China Lake. Alexander said that people who turn out of the Stater Bros. parking lot, for example, can turn left onto southbound China Lake Boulevard, but that is also a traffic hazard as people try to pull into the lot at the same location as those turning out.There had been plans to extend the median all the way to the intersection of Inyokern Road and China Lake Boulevard, but this would block northbound access to the Triangle, Ridgecrest Cinema and the Pizza Factory.The project is Caltrans’ responsibility, as it is technically SR 178, but the state agency will be working with the city of Ridgecrest on the development. Caltrans will also be collaborating within districts for the project. Alexander explained Caltrans District 6 of Fresno will be the design and architectural team and Caltrans District 9 of Bishop will assist with the construction and shovel work.Alexander explained the work is being paid for and preformed by Caltrans for safety reasons.The design and architectural team will be present at the meeting, armed with plans and blueprints.Alexander said he would like to see some landscaping in the median. He said he’d like to see sculptures in the medians, like missiles or jets to represent the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake. He said the shaman sculptures popping up in other public spaces around town would be an option. Alexander used the town of Eureka as an example, which has nautical and ocean themed scenes in its medians. At the least, Alexander said, the median would be raised concrete, about sidewalk height.He said he hopes the city will go along with the landscaping idea and agree to run water out to the medians. He also said the project is about a year out before shovels hit the ground.“The Public Information Meeting will give the public an opportunity to review construction plans and project displays. Caltrans personnel will be available to answer specific questions regarding project features and impacts. Attendees of the Public Meeting will be given the opportunity to express their verbal and written comments or concerns regarding the effects of the project on the local community.”